Albin Müller, Art Nouveau Candlestick In Mixed Metal 1905

Albin Müller – Geometric Art Nouveau / Secessionist Candlestick, Brass, Copper and Opaline Glass Cabochons, circa 1905 Design: Albin Müller (1871–1941) · Künstlerkolonie Mathildenhöhe Darmstadt · Brass and Copper · Opaline Cabochons · H. 26.5 cm · Attribution: WMF or Eduard Hueck (unmarked)

A geometric table candlestick in brass and copper, with four columns rising from a square spreading base, set with four opaline glass cabochons, designed by Albin Müller circa 1905. Height 26.5 cm · base 11.2 × 11.2 cm. Unmarked. Provisional attribution: WMF (Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik, Geislingen) or Eduard Hueck (Lüdenscheid) — both manufactories executed Müller designs in brass and copper circa 1905.

The formal vocabulary of this candlestick — square base, geometric columns, opaline glass accents — is characteristic of the transitional period between floral Art Nouveau and geometric Secessionism that Müller developed in Darmstadt and for German industrial manufactories. The combination of brass, copper and opaline glass, the columnar articulation and the spreading base are recurrent elements in Müller's designs for WMF and Eduard Hueck circa 1904–1908.

Albin Müller (Dittersbach, 13 December 1871 – Darmstadt, 2 October 1941), German architect and designer, was appointed in 1906 to the Künstlerkolonie Mathildenhöhe in Darmstadt — founded in 1899 by Grand Duke Ernst Ludwig of Hesse — where he became the colony's lead architect after the death of Joseph Maria Olbrich in 1908. Before Darmstadt he had worked in Magdeburg, developing a distinctive geometric formal language. In Darmstadt he designed applied art objects for industrial manufactories including WMF (Geislingen) and Eduard Hueck (Lüdenscheid), as well as complete interiors, houses and exhibition buildings. His works are held in the collections of the Museum Künstlerkolonie / Institut Mathildenhöhe in Darmstadt and the Museum für Angewandte Kunst in Frankfurt.

• Height: 26.5 cm · Base: 11.2 × 11.2 cm
• Materials: brass · copper · opaline glass cabochons
• Hallmarks: none (unmarked)
• Design: Albin Müller, circa 1905 (attribution)
• Production: WMF (Geislingen) or Eduard Hueck (Lüdenscheid), circa 1905 (provisional attribution)
• Public collections: Museum Künstlerkolonie / Institut Mathildenhöhe, Darmstadt · Museum für Angewandte Kunst, Frankfurt
• Condition: very good

Seen in museums — available to you.

Available for viewing by appointment at our Düsseldorf gallery.

Keywords integrated: Albin Müller, candlestick brass copper opaline, Künstlerkolonie Mathildenhöhe Darmstadt 1905, WMF Eduard Hueck, geometric Jugendstil Secession, Institut Mathildenhöhe Darmstadt